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THE PENGUIN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HORROR AND THE SUPERNATURAL. Edited by Jack Sullivan. With an Introduction by Jacques Barzun.

New York: Viking. 1986. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. First edition. Quarto, original boards with cloth spine. 482 pp., double columns, illustrated. The first attempt to produce a true encyclopedia of the "Literature of Fear", both supernatural and psychological. Provides about 650 entries written by 65 contributors (including Sullivan) that, with a few exceptions, fall into three categories: Authors (writers, artists and illustrators, composers and others); films (131 entries for individual films, plus several more combined in an essay "Dracula on Film" ); and themes (54 essays on architecture, mad doctors, special effects and other topics). The encyclopedia has been criticized for lack of editorial balance, but deficiencies are offset by excellent critical essays by E. F. Bleiler, Richard Dalby and others that provide information not found elsewhere. Remainder mark on bottom page edges, slight rubbing to dust wrapper, otherwise a fine copy in dust wrapper. Near Fine in Dust Jacket. Item #5163